‘Yes!’ she said quickly, wiping the tears from her cheeks.
Max slid the ring onto her finger and the whole crowd erupted with a flurry of whoops, cheers and applause. Camera flashes lit up the surroundings as professional photographers and guests took photos of the romantic occasion.
Max stood up and kissed Stella passionately, causing everyone to whistle, scream and clap with appreciation. Then Jasmine and a guy with olive skin rushed onto the stage to hug and congratulate the newly engaged couple.
‘Looks like we have another Love Hotel wedding to look forward to!’ Jasmine cheered. ‘And maybe there’s other Love Hotel matches in the audience right now who could be next!’
I felt Nico and Cassie’s eyes land on me and Gabriel.
Honestly. They couldn’t seriously be thinking that could be us.
Gabriel and I had only spent a week together. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I liked him a lot, but the idea of us having a relationship alone was a stretch, and marriage was so off-base it might as well be on the moon.
‘That concludes the show for this evening,’ Jasmine said. ‘But we’ll have a DJ until midnight, so please feel free to stay and devour the complimentary food and drink. Enjoy the rest of the party!’
Jake took another bow and everyone left the stage.
‘That wassoromantic!’ said Cassie.
‘It was,’ Nico agreed. ‘It shows that even when there are obstacles and relationships seem like they are impossible, when you are with the right person, those challenges can be overcome.’ He looked me squarely in the eye.
‘Exactement,’ Gabriel said. ‘Nico, Cassie, would you excuse us, please? I would like to speak with Laila.’
‘Bien sûr,’ Nico nodded and Cassie gave a knowing smile.
Before I could protest, Gabriel took my hand and led me away from the crowds to a quieter part of the beach, then he stopped in front of me.
‘Laila.’ He looked me in the eyes. ‘I know that you have concerns about us, but seeing those couples on the stage just confirmed what I have always believed. When you find someone special, it is worth fighting for them. I know that you are convinced that we do not have a future, but whilst we are here, can we try? Forget about the reasons why you think this will not work and imagine that itwill. On paper it may seem like we are different, but we have more in common than you think.’
‘Like what?’ I asked, genuinely curious.
‘We both took non-traditional paths in life. We had plans to go to university and graduate, but our lives took us in different directions. We both had to grow up faster than our peers because of our circumstances. You with raising your son, me with building a business.’
‘True.’ I nodded.
‘We’ve both had our struggles with our families – you with your parents, me with my mother. And we’ve found it difficult to maintain friendships with people our own ages because our lives were different. Whilst our friends were at university and partying or travelling, you were dealing with the responsibilities of being a mother and I was working night and day trying to start my business.’
‘I guess like me you feel like you missed out on enjoying your early twenties like your friends.’
‘To some degree,’ he said and my stomach tensed. Surely he’d prefer to make up for lost time now though? ‘But now I want to enjoy myself withyou. Can we try this week? If we get to the end of this trip and you feel nothing for me, then we can walk away. But if next Saturday this feels right, we should have a serious conversation. We have more options than you think. You are the most incredible woman I have ever met, so all that I am asking is that you give me, giveusa chance. What do you think?’
I blinked rapidly.
The conviction and determination in his eyes was unmistakable.
No one had ever said that they wanted a future with me. Not just for one night, but for more.
My own parents disowned me. The father of my child and the other men I dated ditched me at the first sign of trouble.
Yet here was this amazing man, standing here, pleading to let him shower me with affection.
Yes, his age and all that other stuff wasn’t ideal, but as scared as I was of losing my best friend and getting hurt, right there in that moment I realised that I’d be a fool to fight this any longer.
I’d be crazy to turn this opportunity down.
It was better to try than not to and live with regrets, right?
I was going for it.
